Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: CrazyHorse1969 on March 22, 2015, 09:14:28 pm
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A back-from-the-dead Native American inspired Black Locust "D" bow (62" - 60" n-t-n - 40# @ 27").
Pearl Drums sort of nudged me to back with rawhide what I thought was an otherwise dead bow. In fact, he said if the bow blew up before 2,000 shots he would give me a new stave. A win-win nudge indeed.
I followed his backing suggestions and took at least 200 shots before finally finishing the bow. I used leather dye on both the rawhide and belly of the bow and padded the handle with red wool to eliminate just a touch of hand shock. In other words, the red wool is not simply ornamental. The bow shoots super straight, fast, and snappy. I now more fully appreciate why the Eastern Cherokee in particular fancied Black Locust for making bows.
I shot the finished bow probably another 50-60 times (I am keeping track) today. I am amazed at how accurate the bow is, considering 1) the fact that I all but left it for dead and 2) it is only my forth self bow (and only the second one that I have had to chase a ring). By the way, feel free to offer constructive criticism, especially the eagle-eyed tiller gurus out there. I am just hoping to build bows that are incrementally better than the ones that came before them.
In short, I learned a heck of a lot more about building self bows during the process of building this bow. And, as long as the bow does not blow up in my face and I end up losing an eye or something, I am happy that I at least attempted to bring it back from the dead. On the other hand, if it does blow up, I am hoping that Pearl Drums has a clean stave (preferably Osage ;)) on hand for a one-eyed shooter. Thanks in advance, Pearly!
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CrazyHorse, that finish looks great.....really fine job on that. Yeah, those wide tips can have some hand shock. Keep them as thin as possible next time.
I zoomed on your FD pic to see it a bit better.......looking pretty good to me Looks like you did a fine salvage job on this bow. Congrats and keep shooting it.
(http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r509/drewsumrell/Tiller%20Close-up_zpsmcl8yilf.jpg) (http://s1169.photobucket.com/user/drewsumrell/media/Tiller%20Close-up_zpsmcl8yilf.jpg.html)
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Thanks. The stave was super bendy and twisty, and I had a heck of a time getting it somewhat straight. I also used a tillering gizmo this time, so my tillering job is a bit better than my last build. But, like I said, this bow shoots great, regardless of what it looks like. In fact, I think I am going to hunt Spring turkey with it. Then I will hopefully build an even better bow.
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Nice save thats a good looking bend, shoot the crap out of it now😀
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Love it man nice save!! I NEED to know what dye you used on that hide. That look frigging sweet!!!
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Thanks! I am new to all of this and trying my best. The leather dye is Fiebing's Leather Dye (from Tandy Leather) in Med. Brown. I diluted it with a touch of denatured alcohol then applied it with a wool dauber. It soaks in real well. If you do not like the color--that is, if it is too dark for your liking, just take a cloth with a little more denatured alcohol and wipe the bow until you get the color you like. I let it dry overnight then took 600-grit sandpaper to the belly before I finished the bow because the dye sort of causes the grain to rise. I tried not to mess with the back of the bow too much because I did not want to muck up the rawhide.
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Love it man nice save!! I NEED to know what dye you used on that hide. That look frigging sweet!!!
This may be an even better picture. Thanks for looking.
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Excellent rawhide job Scott! That bow will last a long time to come. If not, I do have an osage stave with your name on it.
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Beautiful bow! Congratulations! Jawge
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Excellent rawhide job Scott! That bow will last a long time to come. If not, I do have an osage stave with your name on it.
I am glad you challenged me to back this bow with rawhide. I learned some new techniques, and the bow, for me, really shoots well.
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Beautiful bow! Congratulations! Jawge
Thanks. Perhaps you do not recall, but you also offered me some great advice several weeks back.